Vedanarayana Perumal Kovil — Attraction in Tamil Nadu

ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதுவதற்கு மன்னிக்கவும்.

Few years back we read about Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar and his enormous bakthi towards the lord. From that time onwards, we wanted to visit this temple, and finally we got the invitation from the lord to visit this wonderful temple.

We were more happy, because we were visiting this temple after having a wonderful darshan in Kadamabavaneswarar temple. Open parking space is available infront of the temple.

We were very happy because, not only was the temple open, but the priest was also there, since we wanted to do parikara puja, which was wonderfully done by the priest.

Lord here faces east with his head pointing towards south and he is sleeping on a ten headed adhishesha (which is unique in this temple) with 4 vedas as his pillow. Since he taught the vedas to Lord bramha here, the lord is called Vedanarayana perumal.

Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar :

Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar came here with his wife and 6 children in the hope of finding Moksham. One night, the leaves from the palm tree at the temple caught fire. Shocked at seeing this, Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar immediately threw his 6 children towards the Lord as a cover for him and to protect him from the raging flames. Unfortunately, the Lord continued to burn. Araiyar then threw himself into the flames and hugged the Lord so the fire would not touch his favourite Lord.

Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and granted moksham to the entire family of the Araiyar. Hence, this place came to be called Pillai Thiru Naraiyur Abhimana Kshetram.

The above incident is wonderful said in one line in "Pen Pillai Ragasiyam". The girl when asked why she is leaving the wonderful village called "Thirukolur" tells a detail explanation which is called pen pillai ragasiyam and in that she tells Ramanujacharaya "உடம்பை வெறுத்தேனோ திருநரையூராரைப் போலே". wow wow wow .

History of the Temple

Scriptures show us that King Mahabala Vaanavaraya was marching with his huge army to Mysore. As night approached, he took rest at this place. The Lord is said to have appeared in his dream that night and asked him to install his idol here that was lying beneath the earth and to create festivals that people could enjoy. The Lord is believed to have assured him victory in his battle at Mysore.

Delighted at this, the king, found the idol buried in the earth, and built the temple for the lord and dedicated this entire village...

A most distinct and unique feature at the Veda Narayanan temple is that Lord Vishnu is seen in a sleeping posture resting on and using the Four Vedas as his pillow. Lord Narayanan is said to have initiated Vedic Education to Brahmma and hence is referred to here as ‘Veda’ Narayanan.

Puranic Scriptures point to the fact that King Mahabala Vaanavaraya was taking his huge army to Mysore. As night befell, he took rest at this place. Lord Narayana is said to have appeared in his dream that night and asked him to install his idol here that was lying beneath the earth and to create festivals that people could enjoy. The Lord is believed to have assured him victory in his battle at Mysore.

Delighted at this, the king built the temple and dedicated this entire village to the temple. To date, about 160 acres of land belongs to the temple.

Prahalada, who had only seen Lord Vishnu in an angry form while he was slaying Hiranyakashipu, wanted to see the soft side of the Lord. After undertaking penance here, Prahalad is said to have had a darshan of Lord Narayana in a more peaceful and happy form as a ‘Shantha Swaroopi’.

Lord Vishnu also promised a place for Prahalad near his feet - another unique feature seen at this temple is a 3 year old boy Prahalada in a standing posture at the feet of the sleeping Lord.

Goddess Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are seen at the feet of Lord Veda Narayanan offering their prayers.

Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar came here with his wife and 6 children in the hope of finding Moksham. One night, the leaves from the palm tree at the temple caught fire. Shocked at seeing this, Thiru Naraiyur Araiyar immediately threw his 6 children towards the Lord as a cover for him and to protect him from the raging flames. Unfortunately, the Lord continued to burn. Araiyar then threw himself into the flames and hugged the Lord so the fire would not touch his favourite Lord.

Pleased with his devotion, the Lord appeared before him and granted moksham to the entire family of the Araiyar. Hence, this place came to be called Pillai Thiru Naraiyur...

It took us about an hour to reach this place from Uttamar koil by car .This is on the Musiri Thottiyam route.Vedanarayanapuram or Tirunarayanapuram is famous for several reasons.Here Perumal lies on the Four Vedas. From His Navel arises Brahma who is taught the Vedas by Perumal. At His Feet are Sri Devi and Bhu Devi and a three year old Prahladan. Why Prahlada? Prahlada who had seen the angry Form of Narayana wanted to see His calm Form . So he got to see Perumal in this Form and was given a place at His Feet. The day we went was Vaikunta ekadashi day so the whole place was festive. Vendors were selling toys and trinkets and ice-cream trucks were shouting buy one ice cream get one free. Fruits flowers and Tulasi garlands were being sold and doing brisk business. As we went inside in the Rs.100 que we entered the main sanctum to have darsan of Veda Narayana Perumal in complete alankaram. Utsavar was in a separate mandapam. The ropes were so tied that one got to go to all sannidhis in an orderly fashion. We had darsan of Vedavalli Thayar Andal, azhwars acharyas and 'Kambathuadi Anjaneyar before coming out of the newly gold plated 'paramapada vasal'. Someone was telling about the temple history and the greatness of the temple. This temple is associated with Tirunaraiyur Araiyar and his six children who saved the divyamangala vigraham from a raging fire caused by a falling palm tree. Araiyur and his children burnt to death but the divya mangala vigraham remains unscalded. Such was the devotion of the whole family. Even today when we hear this our eyes get filled with tears. Because of this supreme sacrifice this kshetram is known as Tirunaraiyur Araiyar...